KABUL (TCA) — Afghan President Ashraf Ghani has welcomed Washington’s decision to slow down U.S. military withdrawal from Afghanistan, RFE/RL reported.
In a statement released on July 7, Ghani highlighted “the important role of the United States as a strong and reliable partner, especially in the war against terrorism.”
U.S. President Barack Obama has announced that the United States will keep 8,400 troops in Afghanistan through the end of his administration early next year, slowing the planned drawdown of the American military presence in the country.
Announcing the decision from the White House on July 6, Obama said the security situation in Afghanistan was “precarious.”
He said the Taliban remains a “threat” in the country and that Afghan government security forces are still not as strong as they need to be.
Obama had previously planned to drop troop levels from the current 9,800 to 5,500 troops by the end of 2016.
According to recent UN estimates, the Taliban currently controls more territory in Afghanistan than at any time since the U.S.-led invasion of the country in 2001.
“It is in our national security interest — especially after all the blood and treasure we’ve invested in Afghanistan over the years — that we give our Afghan partners the very best opportunity to succeed,” Obama said.
The decision will leave the planned troop levels in place until Obama’s successor takes office in January 2017.
“The decision I’m making today ensures that my successor has a solid foundation for progress in Afghanistan, as well as the flexibility to address the threat of terrorism as it evolves,” he said.
